Juniors: Pollok have major problems for West of Scotland Cup final against Arthurlie

Jun 2 2011 By Fraser Wilson

Calum Hardie

POLLOK gaffer Willie Irvine is demanding his side sort out their defensive woes ahead of this weekend's West of Scotland Cup final against arch rivals Arthurlie.

Lok are hoping to end the season with a cup double after lifting the Central League Cup last week with a 7-3 demolition of Shotts Bon Accord.

However, Irvine knows this week's clash with Lie is a different prospect altogether and fears his fragile backline could come undone against the Barrhead men.

He said: "It's a massive game to end the season and one we are all looking forward to.

"The West of Scotland Cup is second only to the Junior Cup in terms of prestige and the fact we are playing Arthurlie makes it all the better.

"We have major injury problems ahead of the match but that has been the story of our season. It won't stop us going into the game and giving it our all.

"We are always going to cause teams problems in the front areas as our two wide players have been immense and our strikers are scoring goals. Mark Crilly is probably playing his best football right now and has arguably been our best player over the past six weeks.

"We just have to make sure that we defend properly because we have been gifting goals too often.

"Even in last week's league cup final we gave away three goals - and our keeper was still having an excellent game. That shows we are giving teams far too many opportunities and we can't afford to do that against Arthurlie."

Lok will be missing up to nine players for the Newlandsfield clash. Definitely out are Steven Rennie, Gerry Joyce, Calum Hardie (pictured), Tommy Nolan, Chris Cruickshank and sub keeper Zander Cowie while Allan McKenzie is suspended and Jamie Doyle is cup tied.

Full back Shaun Dillon is also a major doubt with a leg knock and Irvine groaned: "The big problem for us, as it has been all season, is injuries. We will be missing eight, maybe nine players on Saturday.

"We ideally wanted to start the same 11 which started last week's cup final against Shotts but three of those are missing this weekend - aswell as two of the subs from that game.

"We are without Gerry Joyce, Jamie Doyle, probably Shaun Dillon, Calum Hardie, and Allan McKenzie.

"To take that calibre of player out of your squad would be hard for any side at our level to cope with.

"But we just have to hope the players who come in step up to the plate. I have faith in them."

Lok's up and down season will likely see them finish fourth in the Superleague Premier Division - two places behind Saturday's opponents.

Irvine accepts the Newlandsfield faithful expect better but argues an injury-hit season could be viewed a success if they manage to land a second piece of silverware on Saturday.

"I don't think Pollok have won this trophy for 11 or 12 years," he said. "So it would be nice to add it to the trophy cabinet.

"Arthurlie are an experienced side, they have good players and work hard as a team.

"We have played them three times this season and won twice with the other game drawn.

"There's not much between the sides though and, as always on these occasions, it will come down to who plays better on the day."

Saturday's West of Scotland Cup Final kicks off at 2pm at Newlandsfield Park.